Abbey Holmes responds to return to work criticism
Abbey Holmes, who works as a sports commentator for Channel 7, welcomed her son Braxton John Brooksby, on June 6 with husband Keegan Brooksby.
Holmes, who didn't realise she was pregnant for the entire first trimester, had a relatively textbook pregnancy. She revealed she laboured all day before doctors deemed a Caesarian was needed to proceed due to the fact Braxton's head was 'far too large'.
The 34-year-old then announced she would be back to commentate in Round 20 of the AFL for the clash between Essendon and Western Bulldogs on July 25.
But, the announcement caused divide, with some calling it 'far too soon' for the new mum to be returning to work.
Now, Holmes has hit back at the people who criticised her for returning to her role for just two days a week — despite the fact there is no 'one size fits all' guideline for new mums.
She said if her baby boy hadn't been doing well, she would never have made the decision to return.
'I think that if he didn't take a bottle or was really unsettled and only slept on me, or whatever it might have been, then I certainly would have been hamstrung and certainly not come back seven weeks after having him,' she told 7News.
Holmes added that for her, she genuinely loved what she did and it didn't feel like work.
'There's certainly a small minority of people out there that feel that they have the right to tell you what you should be doing and how things are to be done, which is never the case,' the new mother said.
She said one of the things that annoyed her the most was the commentary around her husband, a former Hawthorn and Gold Coast player.
'(Someone said) 'oh Dad's on babysitting duty'. I'm sorry, but dads don't babysit their own children, they're 50 per cent of the parenting duo,' she responded.
Upon taking to the microphone on July 25 she shared a video with fellow commentators Dale Thomas and Matthew Richardson.
'OK guys, we're baaaaack,' she captioned the clip.
Fans were mostly stoked to see her return, calling Holmes the 'best part' of Friday night footy.
'You are incredible! Welcome back,' one social media user said.
Another added: 'Get it girl.'
'So good to see your smiley face back,' another user commented.
Another said: 'HOORAY. Welcome back, your bubba is in good hands and you are doing a great job of firstly being a mumma/wife and now doing your love of being you.'
Some did question the decision, asking if she was 'sure she was ready' to return to work.
When Holmes initially announced she was returning to work two days a week, she said she was grateful for the support from both her family and her workplace.
'Coming back to work fills me with so much excitement,' she said.
'I've missed the team, the buzz, and being part of the action. I'm ready to hit the ground running next Friday night at Marvel Stadium and can't wait for little Brax to see his mumma in action.
'It's been such a special time at home with Braxton and Keegan and I feel so lucky to be able to go back to a job that I love and come home to our family.'
Holmes said she was incredibly grateful to know that she could have both a career that she loved as well as time with her family.
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